FOIA Requests

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) is designed to ensure that the public has access to information about their government.  As a public body, Rutland CCSD 230 has an obligation to ensure that citizens have access to inspect and/or copy open records.  As required by the Freedom of Information Act, the following information has been compiled:

FOIA Requests

Requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act must be filed with the District in writing.  Requestors are asked to be as specific as possible as to the document(s) they are requesting.  Public bodies are not responsible for compiling information or creating documents as a response to a Freedom of Information Act request.  Rutland CCSD 230 will either comply with or deny a request for public records within five (5) business days after its receipt of the request unless the request is for commercial purposes or the time for response is properly extended. A request is received on the next business day if submitted during non-business hours. Rutland CCSD 230 business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST Monday through Friday. Rutland CCSD 230  observes all state holidays.

To file a FOIA request, click on the following link:  Freedom of Information Act request info.  

Please note, when you submit a FOIA request, your name and request will be recorded in a log. 

FOIA Officer

Rutland CCSD 230's Superintendent serves as the District’s FOIA Officer.  

Available Records

The following are examples of the types or categories of records maintained by Rutland CCSD 230:  Monthly Financial Statements; Contracts and Bids; Budgets; Annual Audits; Minutes of Meetings of the Board of Education; Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Education; Textbook Adoptions; and Curriculum Frameworks

Upon request, Rutland CCSD 230 will make certain records immediately available for inspection and copying between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday (except on legal holidays) at the school district office. These records, many of which are also available online, include: Board of Education Bylaws and Policies; Rutland CCSD 230's Current Fiscal Year Budget; Current Board of Education Purpose, Goals, Current Agreement Between the Rutland Education Association and the Board of Education; Current Annual Financial Report; Current Illinois School Report Cards for Rutland CCSD 230; and Board-Approved School Year and Board Meetings Calendars.

Electronic Records

The Freedom of Information Act requires that, when requested and when feasible, documents be provided in electronic format to requestors.  For documents that are available only in electronic format, requestors without access to a computer or the Internet may ask that the document(s) be printed or that provisions be made to review the electronic documents at Rutland Grade School, 3231 IL Route 71 East, Ottawa, IL 61350..

Fees

As stipulated by the Freedom of Information Act, Rutland CCSD 230 will provide the first 50 black and white, letter- or legal-sized copies at no charge.  Additional copies are 10 cents per page.  The District reserves the right to charge the actual cost of reproduction for color or abnormally-sized copies and for recording mediums such as discs or tapes when information is requested in electronic format.

Denial of Access

In order to protect personal privacy and to perform certain governmental functions properly, some records and information may need to be kept confidential and are not deemed “public records” under the Act.  Requests for this type of information can be denied or, in other cases, certain pieces of confidential information may be redacted (or removed) from documents.  As required by the Act, Rutland CCSD 230 keeps a file of all notices of denial of access to records.  This file is available for inspection by members of the public upon request to the FOIA Officer.